February 2 is popularly known as Groundhog Day, but did you know it’s also a Cross Quarter Day? Cross Quarter Days mark the mid-point of a given season. Originally it was called Imbolc Day (referring to lambs’ milk) because the lambing season begins at this time. It was said to be better luck if it were overcast on Imbolc, suggesting the clouds bring warmth and rain the would soften the ground for spring planting.

This is the darkest month of the year, a great time to bundle up and enjoy Maine’s clear dark skies. There are several astronomical events visible this December. We encourage you to take the time to be aware of these events and observe them if you can.

This year’s annual Stars Over Katahdin was held on Zoom due to the pandemic. Five hundred people registered online to attend. Having more folks attending this year, because of the easy online access, has been one of the silver linings of the pandemic. Thirty different states were represented.

Cassiopeia sits in her chair amidst the Milky Way; Sagittarius’ teapot spout pours steamy milky white stars into the Milky Way; Cygnus the Swan flies through the Milky Way overhead. In the autumn when folks gather at the Overlook off the Loop Road at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, these are the usual constellations that are seen. As viewers look to the heaven during the annual star party either with unaided eyes, binoculars, or through telescopes, “ooohs” and “ahhhs” are constant sounds. Over Mount Katahdin, Arcturus is seen at the end of an imaginary arch from the tip of the Big Dipper’s handle.

This spring was supposed to be the season of the comet. There were three reasonably bright comets in the sky, Comet Atlas, Comet PanSTARRS, and Comet Swan. However, comets are notorious for being elusive and not doing what’s expected. Having seen more than 30 comets over the years, I’ve learned to keep my expectations in check. Most comets never break the brightness level of entering naked-eye visibility, and most of those that do end up being little more than a faint fuzzy star.

In this time of social distancing and fears of COVID-19, we all search for things to bring comfort and normalcy to our lives. Friends and loved ones seem far away even when they’re close by, some may be sick, quarantined, or simply housebound. Fortunately, between Face Book, texting, emails, Zoom, and Skype, we can at least see and talk with each other. It’s not the same, but it helps.

Welcome to the first Newsletter of Dark Sky Maine, the New Non-profit Organization dedicated to preserving the precious night skies of Maine through awareness, experience, understanding and participation in personal, municipal, and statewide action. The steep learning curve and high level of activity in launching this effort is very exciting for the three principals, Nancy Hathaway, John Meader, and myself, Colin Caissie.